- Date
- September 7, 2008, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place
- Surry, VA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N723JHAirframes Unlimited USA-1B
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 22, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Richmond FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20080907853229A
- Case key
- 68909
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper handling of the powered parachute during takeoff/initial climb.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot of the powered parachute stated that he started his takeoff roll on runway 27. The parachute canopy partially inflated with a right side end cell closure. The pilot stated, "he did not observe the tangled steering lines on the takeoff roll and failed to ensure that the parachute canopy was controllable". The powered parachute made a hard right turn at liftoff, reached an altitude of about five feet, and the parachute canopy collapsed. The powered parachute impacted the runway hard and rolled over inverted. The airframe received structural damage. The pilot conducted an engine shutdown and exited the powered parachute. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the powered parachute.
Factual narrative
The pilot stated he started his take off roll on runway 27. The parachute canopy partially inflated with a right side end cell closure. The pilot stated, "he did not observe the tangled steering lines on the take off roll and failed to ensure that the parachute canopy was controllable". The powered parachute made a hard right turn at lift off, reached an altitude of about five feet, and the parachute canopy collapsed. The powered parachute impacted the runway hard and rolled over inverted. The airframe received structural damage. The pilot conducted an engine shut down and exited the powered parachute. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the powered parachute.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N723JH
- Reported as
- Airframes Unlimited USA-1B
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Serial number
- 2007-0098
- Airframe hours
- 16
- Engine
- Rotax 503, 48 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Kenneth E. Mahoney
- Registered owner
- Joel C. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · November 1, 2007 · 16 hours before
- Departed
- VA33 · Surry, VA
- Destination
- VA33 · Surry, VA
- Airport
- VA33 · Beaver Dam Airport, runway 27, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 52
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Last flight review
- February 1, 2008
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 124 total · 10 in this make and model · 65 as pilot in command · 6 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 80° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PHF, 14 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.